In this episode we unpack "Letter to Menoeceus" by Ancient Greek Philosopher Epicurus.
The Letter explores...
-Why death is not something we need to fear
-Why those who need luxury least are the ones who enjoy it most
-How to make calculations to maximize pleasure and tranquility
Links to Reading and articles mentioned
"Letter to Menoceus" by Epicurus
"Money Buys Happiness Only to a Certain Point" by Andrew T. Jebb of Purdue University
"Better Never to Have Been" by David Benatar"
**note** reading is not required to enjoy the episode!
Host: Zach Stehura Unpackingideas.com
Guest: Daniel Libin
Theme Music: Polyenso Listen here
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:04 Section 1
00:03:00 Philosophy is for The Old and Young
00:06:28 Happiness is Not Everything, but Unhappiness is
00:09:38 Happiness vs. Ataraxia vs. Eudaemonia
00:15:34 Section 2
00:17:32 Gods Aren’t Concerned with Human Affairs
00:20:00 Section 3
00:21:29 Epicurean Death Argument
00:22:55 Alief vs. Belief
00:25:45 Aristotle’s 3 types of Arguments
00:26:47 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
00:29:25 Near Death Experiences
00:30:04 Fear of Death vs. Fear of Dying
00:31:17 Death Anxiety
00:32:41 Thomas Nagel’s Counter Argument to Epicurus
00:42:58 Section 4
00:45:00 Better to Have Never Been?
00:52:30 Section 5
00:53:47 Ataroxia
00:54:44 Buddhism vs. Epicureanism
01:01:14 Section 6
01:02:32 Epicureanism vs. Hedonism
01:07:35 All Pain is Bad, but Sometimes We Should Choose the Painful Option
01:09:00 Hedonic Calculation
01:10:30 Section 7
01:12:18 Misinterpretations of Epicureanism
01:13:54 Those Who Least Need Extravagances, Enjoy Them the Most
01:16:47 “Everything Natural is Easy to Obtain, Whatever is Groundless is Hard to Obtain”
01:24:23 Section 8
01:25:14 Prudence & Justice
01:28:40 Section 9
01:30:37 Better to Be Virtuous than Lucky
01:33:08 Wrapping up/Outro
